REEF SPOTLIGHT - April 2013
The Reef Aquarium of:
Pedro Gomes A.K.A. "PmRg"
You can also check out Pedro’s tank build here on R2R:
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/member-tanks/95851-island-reef.html
Introduction
I would like to start by thanking Reef2Reef for picking my tank for this spotlight. I’m very glad that Reef2Reef is the first forum featuring my “Island Reef” in the United States.
My name is Pedro and I’m a 25 year old international student, currently studying at Kingston University in London. I’ve kept reef tanks for 7 years and started showing interest for marines while browsing a fish keeping forum, looking for information about my koi pond.
This “Island Reef” is my third reef tank, built in August 2011 and is located in Madeira Island, Portugal. I built this system while on my summer holidays and since I’m not home for more than half a year I had to build the tank to be easy to maintain so that my parents and my sister could take care of it, while following some easy instructions. The tank has been running for 1 year and 7 months with only light maintenance, feeding, and dosing.
I learned a lot with my previous tanks, so with this one was planned very carefully. It took me 2 months to plan and have it running. Since then, I’ve been very happy with it, even with my situation of having the tank in Madeira and studying in London. The tank has been developing well without any problems.
Now, my only concerns are finding rare SPS corals and maintaining the current reef. I’d like to change some less attractive corals for rare and bright SPS corals so I can achieve a tank full of rare and exquisite SPS corals.
Given my current life situation and not knowing where I will end up working, I don’t have any plans for upgrading the tank; it will just be maintained.
System Profile
Display tank: 192L=50g (100cm x 58cm x 45cm)=(39"x23"x18")
Glass or Acrylic: Glass
Stand: DIY stand, it was supposed to be a TV stand but it was adapted by a friend to fit the tank needs. The electric installation was made by a good friend of mine that is an electrician. I did the LED installation inside the stand.
Sump: (50cm x 50cm x 35cm)=(20"x20"x14") The sump has 2 sections (skimmer and return) with 2 tank connectors; One to take the water out to help with water changes, and the other connects to the return pump. By not having the return pump inside the sump it is much easier to clean the return section.
Protein Skimmer: Royal Exclusiv Bubble King Double Cone 200
Carbon/phosphate filtration: I use 200ml of Korallen-Zucht carbon inside a bag, changed every month.
Return Pump: Eheim Compact+3000 ( 3000 L/hr)
Water circulation: 2x Ecotech Vortech MP10w ES with EcoTech Vortech battery backup
Lighting: ATI Sunpower dimmable 8x 39w
Calcium/alkalinity/magnesium dosing: GHL 3-way independent dosing pump, using the Balling Light method
Other dosing: KZ ZeoBAK, BioMate, ZeoStart3 and ZeoLife products to help with the bacteria.
For the elements and food part, I’m dosing:
• KZ Amino Acid HC
• KZ Coral Vitalizer
• KZ Sponge Power
• KZ Coral Snow
• KZ Pohls Xtra
• KZ B-Balance
• KZ K-Balance
• KZ Stylo-Pocci glow
• KZ Iron
• KZ Potassium Iodide Fluoride
• KZ Coral Booster
• KZ Flatwormstop
Auto top-off: DIY system with solenoid valve connected to a RO unit
RO/DI: 3stages for ATO and 5stages with deposit for general use.
Heating/Cooling: 200w Aqua-Medic Titanium heater with fans over the tank just on the summer months
System control: ATC800 controls the heater and fans.
PH-803 PH/ORP controller
